Changes afoot at Colesbourne
Those of you who read the Blog of John Grimshaw will be aware that he has been appointed to the post of Director of the Castle Howard Arboretum Trust, North Yorkshire, with effect from mid-August 2012. It is a full time position, with responsibility for managing the arboretum, its staff and volunteers, and for increasing its public profile and visitor numbers.
This exciting new challenge for John does, of course, mean that a successor is being sought as a new Head Gardener at Colesbourne. A competent person is needed to do the gardening and run the place and, as might be expected from such a prestigious place in the snowdrop world, an interest in and knowledge of snowdrops is very desirable.
I append here some notes about Colesbourne and the position of head gardener. HEAD GARDENER, COLESBOURNE PARKJOB DESCRIPTIONA Head Gardener is sought to assist Sir Henry and Lady Elwes maintain and develop the gardens at Colesbourne Park, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, and their snowdrop collection and display. Good general knowledge of standard horticultural practice is required, and an interest in snowdrops in particular is very desirable. The post is full-time but a part-time position might be considered in order to permit the post holder to carry out other duties such as writing or horticultural tours. An estate cottage will be available if required.
Colesbourne Park has a 5 acre garden with a similarly sized parkland arboretum adjacent. It is famous for its snowdrop display and collection and is open to the public for snowdrop visits in February and on occasion at other times of year. The property has belonged to the Elwes family since 1789 and is currently occupied by Sir Henry and Lady Elwes, who have been responsible for regenerating the gardens and developing the snowdrop display over the past twenty years. The intention is to create and maintain an informal but horticulturally diverse garden that reflects the interests of Henry John Elwes (d. 1922), a great plantsman and naturalist. Colesbourne is located in the Churn valley between Cheltenham and Cirencester.
The garden incudes a large area of wild garden, consisting mostly of bulbs naturalised in grass and under trees with an increasingly diverse display of wildflowers, maintained by mowing and strimming in due season, an informal Spring Garden, lakeside plantings and the formal garden around the house in which a herbaceous border is the main feature. There are extensive lawns around and below the house. There is a small vegetable garden and small heated greenhouse. Nursery production of snowdrop bulbs for sale is an important aspect of the position, with open ground production as well as cultivation in a large polytunnel. The arboretum and adjacent parkland are grazed by sheep and require minimal maintenance. Further information and images of the gardens and grounds may be found on the website,
www.colesbournegardens.org.uk.
The snowdrop collection and display is internationally significant and forms the principal feature of the garden, around which the work schedule is planned throughout the year. Management requirements include accurate identification and labelling, extension of planting areas to enhance the display, propagation for garden use and sale, and appropriate cultivation and treatment to maintain and develop the collection. Public interface during the snowdrop open days is an important aspect of the position. Snowdrop open days occur on each weekend during February and the first weekend of March, when large numbers of visitors may come, with guided tour groups on weekdays at that time.
There is one fulltime gardener (Will Fletcher) and Sir Henry undertakes most of the mowing. Arboricultural work is done by outside contractors. Machinery maintenance is done by Colesbourne Motor Garage Ltd.
The gardens at Colesbourne Park are run as a business by Colesbourne Gardens LLP.
DUTIESMaintain and manage the Colesbourne Park snowdrop collection and display to maximise its effect, including labelling and verification of the plants.
Propagation of snowdrops for retail sales and the garden, and their cultivation to saleable state.
Management of the sales during the open season and presentation of the stock for sale, including taking and recording orders, and correspondence with customers.
Design, planning, planting and maintenance of garden areas (herbaceous borders, woodland garden, bog garden, wild garden, arboretum, kitchen garden, nursery, etc.) to create and maintain an interesting and attractive collection and display of plants throughout the year, though with emphasis on the winter garden. Chainsaw and spraying licences are desirable.
Propagation of planting stock of all types of plants for use in the garden.
Management of garden staff, occasional volunteers and oversight of outside contractors (mostly arboricultural).
Purchase of equipment and supplies.
Publicity and promotion of the garden and correspondence with the public/press in connection with the snowdrop open days.
Preparation of material for the website and leaflets for open days.
Presence during the open days and interface with visitors, including leading guided tours on weekdays.
Health & safety assessments and remedial work.
Regular liaison with garden owners (Sir Henry & Lady Elwes).
Anyone wishing to send expressions of interest or requests for further information about the post is asked to make contact via info@colesbournegardens.org.uk
COLESBOURNE PARK OPEN FOR NATIONAL GARDENS SCHEME
The gardens at Colesbourne Park will be open for the NGS on Sunday 27 May, 1-5 pm - a rare opportunity to see the garden outside snowdrop time. See the N.G.S. or or Colesbourne websites for details.
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